The state House approves legislation that puts spending controls on the TOPS scholarship program. Instead of an automatic increase when tuition goes up, TOPS payments would need legislative approval to be increased. Amite Representative John Bel Edwards supports Senator Jack Donahue’s bill…

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The Senate bill locks in the amount of the award at the 2015-2016 level. The Senate must vote again on technical changes made to the bill on the House side.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is now offering hunting and fishing licenses in an electronic form that can be both saved on a portable device or printed from home. Director of Licensing Michelle Rayburn says this new option went on sale June first, creating an easier way for people to get or renew their license…

cut 10 (10) “license at home”

Rayburn says the traditional waterproof license can still be purchased.

After receiving Senate approval, the Steve Gleason Act has passed the US House Ways and Means Committee. The measure would make speech generating devices and other technology more accessible for patients with ALS and other diseases so they can live more independent lives. Team Gleason Associate Executive Director Clare Durrett says Medicare changes last year created the necessity for this legislation…

cut 4 (12) “and internet”

She says the measure would help not only ALS patients, but patients who suffer any sort of paralysis where they can’t use their physical being to communicate. The legislation now heads to the full House for a vote.

The state House approves legislation that puts spending controls on the TOPS scholarship program. The Senate bill locks in the amount of the award at the 2015-2016 level. Instead of an automatic increase when tuition goes up, TOPS payments would need legislative approval to be increased. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says TOPS is in trouble without this bill…:
CUT 15 (06) “for the future”
The measure faces a veto threat from Governor Bobby Jindal, who has opposed major changes to the TOPS program.

Eleven revenue generating bills approved by the state House are creating concern for State Treasurer John Kennedy who questions whether they were passed constitutionally. He says the legislature is relying on a 1993 attorney general’s opinion that states that a simple majority is required to suspend an existing tax exemption…
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Kennedy says most of these require a two-thirds majority vote.

Public university leaders are pushing the state legislature to approve a higher education tax credit that’s having trouble getting support in the Louisiana House. Critics say the SAVE fund is complicated and is only offered so Governor Jindal doesn’t break his no-new-taxes pledge. Board of Regents Chairman Roy O’ Martin understands the concern:
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Still others say the measure would prevent deep cuts to higher ed.

Headed to the Governor’s desk is a bill that would outlaw revenge porn. The house gave final approval Tuesday to a proposal that would make it a crime to share a sexual picture of someone without their permission with the intent of causing emotional harm.

Legislation that would mean rape victims wouldn’t have to pay for hospital medical exams after an attack has gotten full legislative approval and is headed to Governor Bobby Jindal’s desk for his signature. A measure would use money from unclaimed gambling winnings to pay for the hospital bills. Jindal is expected to sign off on the legislation.

Public university leaders are pushing the state legislature to approve a higher education tax credit that’s having trouble getting support in the Louisiana House. University of Louisiana system President Sandra Woodley says the legislation is needed to prevent deep cuts to four and two year colleges…
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Some opposing lawmakers say the measure is too complicated.

There will be national TV coverage for the first LSU-UL Lafayette Super Regional game at Alex Box Stadium. ESPN 2 will carry the Saturday game at 7pm, and Tiger Rag Assistant Editor James Moran says it speaks volumes about the quality of the match-up and excitment under the lights…
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State Treasurer John Kennedy is concerned some of the 11 revenue-generating bills approved by the State House were not passed constitutionally. Those bills would raise approximately $615 million dollars to help the state’s budget crisis. But five of those bills passed with a simple majority from the House, which Kennedy says makes them unconstitutional…
cut 12 (10) “two-thirds vote”
Which he says could be subject to a legal challenge.

The city of Kaplan is buzzing as an HBO film crew is shooting for a new series there. Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission Director, Allison Miller, says the series is called “Quarry”…
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What we do know is the series will air on Cinemax.

Leaders for public universities and colleges are urging legislators to approve legislation called the “Save Fund.” Jeff Palermo has the story…
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New terminology is now being used in Louisiana to identify crimes of sexual assault. The bill by Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges will change “simple rape,” “forcible rape” and “aggrevated rape” to third, second and first-degree rape. The measure passed the House by an 89 to nothing vote.
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At least 5 out of 11 state bills passed out of the House to generate additional revenue are getting the attention of State Treasurer John Kennedy. He is very concerned, saying they were not passed constitutionally, because they passed by SIMPLE majority. Kennedy says the State Constitution requires a two-thirds majority for any changes like these…
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The first NCAA Super Regional game between LSU and UL-Lafayette will be at Alex Box Stadium at 7pm Saturday night. Assistant Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says you couldn’t ask for anything more exciting than that…
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And you can count on many fans from both teams will be on campus early that morning to tailgate.

The House has approved eleven measures that raises revenue to prevent cuts to higher ed, but for Governor Bobby Jindal to sign them, there needs to be a tax cut, which is where the so-called SAVE Fund comes in. Board of Regents President Roy O’Martin says if legislators want to protect higher ed, they need to approve it…
CUT 8 (09) “save higher education”
Some opposing lawmakers call it a “shell-game”

Eleven revenue generating bills approved by the state House are creating concern for State Treasurer John Kennedy; saying at least five bills have passed by majority-which Kennedy says is against the State Constitution. He says the legislature is relying on a 1993 attorney general’s opinion that states that a simple majority is required to suspend an existing tax exemption…
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There is almost a football-type atmosphere with the upcoming NCAA baseball Super Regionals as the LSU Tigers prepare to take on UL Lafayette. Assistant Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says this is a huge matchup…
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Game one is Saturday night at Alex Box, and like a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium, tickets may be a little hard to find.

Hollywood South has spread it wings out to Vermillion Parish, as an HBO film crew is shooting a new series in Kaplan. Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission Director, Allison Miller, says the series “Quarry” to air on Cinemax will bring a nice boost to the local economy…
CUT 5 (08) Q: “while they’re here”

State Treasurer John Kennedy is concerned some of the 11 revenue generating bills approved by the state House were not passed constitutionally. They would raise approximately $615 million dollars to help deal with the current budget crisis. Five of those bills passed with a simple majority from the House, which Kennedy says makes them unconstitutional…:
CUT 12 (10) “two thirds vote”
The five bills in question are all related to scaling back tax exemptions and credits.

A show called “Quarry” is being filmed by HBO this week in Kaplan and it’s got the town a-buzz. Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission Director, Allison Miller, says the series is set in the 70s and a local motel made the cut…:
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Miller says the shoot is expected to last about a week and the series will air on Cinemax sometime next year.

The LSU Tigers are headed to the Super Regionals where they’ll face the Ragin Cajuns. Scott Carwile has more…:
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The game between LSU and UL-Lafayette Saturday will be at 7pm and on ESPN2.

Today, the estranged heirs of New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owners Tom Benson take the stand as they try and convince a judge that Benson can’t handle his own affairs. Benson told reporters yesterday that he feels good.

Public university leaders are pushing the state legislature to approve a higher education tax credit that’s having trouble getting support in the Louisiana House. They say the SAVE fund is complicated and only offered, so Governor Jindal doesn’t break his no-new-taxes pledge. Board of Regents Chairman Roy O’ Martin understands the concern:
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Higher-ed leaders this is needed to prevent deep cuts.

LSU and UL-Lafayette will face off Saturday night at The Box in Baton Rouge at 7pm in the first game of the NCAA Super Regional Series. Tiger and Ragin Cajun baseball fans are scrambling for tickets and planning big tailgates for these huge games. Assistant Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says it speaks volumes that the Saturday game will be on ESPN2.
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The game Sunday will either be at 5 or 6pm.

The Vermilion Parish city of Kaplan is buzzing as an HBO film crew is shooting for a new series there. Eric Gill reports…:
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Today is day two of the mental competency hearing involving Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson. Benson has been there both days and told reporters heading into the courtroom yesterday that he feels good.

Leaders for public universities and colleges are urging legislators to approve legislation called the “Save Fund.” Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

Grambling State University Presidential Interviews have begun. Today the public and media are hearing questions from Dr. Wayne Brumfield, Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon, and Dr. Thomas Calhoun. Tomorrow will be Dr. Willie Larkin and Dr. Glenda Carter. The new GSU leader will be chosen Thursday.

The Vermilion Parish city of Kaplan is buzzing as an HBO film crew is shooting for a new series there. Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission Director, Allison Miller, says the series is called “Quarry”…:
CUT 3 (10) “much more”
Miller says the shoot is expected to last about a week and the series will air on Cinemax sometime next year.

The first NCAA Super Regional game between LSU and UL-Lafayette will be Saturday night at Alex Box Stadium at 7pm. Many Purple and Gold and Ragin Cajun fans are planning to head out to campus early that morning to tailgate ahead of the big matchup. Assistant Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says you could ask for a better first pitch time Saturday…:
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The game Sunday will either be at 5 or 6pm. Saturday night’s game will be broadcast on ESPN 2.

Public university leaders are pushing the state legislature to approve a higher education tax credit that’s having trouble getting support in the Louisiana House. University of Louisiana system President Sandra Woodley says the legislation is needed to prevent deep cuts to four and two year colleges…:
CUT 6 (10) “higher education”
The legislation, which has been called the SAVE fund, is facing push back from House members. They say its a complicated and only offered, because Governor Jindal doesn’t want to break his Americans for Tax Reform’s no-new-taxes pledge.

The 5 presidential semi-finalists for Grambling State are being interviewed this week and the university is naming a new leader on Thursday. The interviews are all public and open to the media and GSU spokeswoman Tracy Wright says they are excited about the process…:
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There are 10 days left in the 2015 legislative session and lawmakers do not appear to be close to balancing the state’s budget. Eric Gill reports…:
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It will probably look like a packed LSU football tailgating day on Saturday as The Tiger baseball team takes on the UL-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at 7pm. The game on Sunday will either be at 5pm or 6pm and on Monday, if necessary, the game is still TBD. Saturday night’s game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control announces their 2015 Summer Crackdown on underage sales begins this week and runs through August. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says with an increase in their education initiative, they want to ensure that more places will do the right thing and not sell to minors…

cut 12 (09) “or tobacco”

He says last year about 14% of the businesses that ATC checked sold to underage operatives.

Legislation by Baton Rouge Senator Sharon Weston Broome that would give certain protections to victims of domestic violence when it comes to their housing passes a House committee Monday. Broome says many amendments have been added to this bill to try to add additional protections for property owners…

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The Senate approved measure now heads to the full House for further consideration.

Monroe Police say a man is being evaluated for mental issues after confronting several people with a knife at a local department store. They say the man confronted some people in the parking lot with a knife and then went into the store and confronted someone he knew. When Police arrived, the unidentified man told them to shoot him. Officers were able to take the knife from the man without anyone getting injured. The man is being evaluated at a local hospital.

The LSU Tigers are headed to the Super Regionals where they’ll face the UL-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns. Scott Carwile has more…

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